Dear Lord,
This past year you have taken away my favorite actor, Patrick Swayze.
My favorite actress, Farah Fawcett.
My favorite singer, Michael Jackson.
My favorite salesman, Billy Mays.
I just wanted you to know that Obama is my favorite president and Nancy Pelosi is my favorite Speaker of the House.
Amen.
Thanks to alert reader Whitney McGowan!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thought for the Day
[There is a] difference between trying hard to honestly think through tough social problems because you care and mouthing comfortable pieties in an effort to get credit for caring.
- Will Wilkinson
Too bad President Obama doesn't read this blog.
Too bad Joe Biden can't read.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Someone is Right and Someone is Wrong. And I Never Forget.
Okay, the health care bill got through Congress. You really do have to give Nancy Pelosi credit, which is hard for me to do because I despise her so, but she did her job.
While I am bitterly opposed to it simply because our country cannot afford it, there is always a small chance that I could be wrong. I think our history with Social Security and Medicare bear out my concerns, but maybe this time it will be different.
No one seems to remember all of the doom and gloom that was predicted when welfare reform became law back in 1996. Was welfare reform an overwhelming success? No. But it was moderately successful, which is all you can hope for with any government program. The doom and gloomers were wrong; the reformers were right. In this case the reformers were the Republicans.
Now, 14 years later, the roles are reversed on another piece of major social legislation.
I don't know who'll be right, but I am curious as to whether there is any way to measure the outcome. Because one side will be mostly right and the other mostly wrong.
So who said what? Well here's a good general overview of what the bill's proponents argued:
Of course, all of these benefits won't happen overnight, especially since the bill back loads everything that really matters except for the tax increases. But we'll see how it all plays out, won't we?
While I am bitterly opposed to it simply because our country cannot afford it, there is always a small chance that I could be wrong. I think our history with Social Security and Medicare bear out my concerns, but maybe this time it will be different.
No one seems to remember all of the doom and gloom that was predicted when welfare reform became law back in 1996. Was welfare reform an overwhelming success? No. But it was moderately successful, which is all you can hope for with any government program. The doom and gloomers were wrong; the reformers were right. In this case the reformers were the Republicans.
Now, 14 years later, the roles are reversed on another piece of major social legislation.
I don't know who'll be right, but I am curious as to whether there is any way to measure the outcome. Because one side will be mostly right and the other mostly wrong.
So who said what? Well here's a good general overview of what the bill's proponents argued:
However "imperfect" this bill is, you got what you wanted: virtually all the uninsured are covered, and those who aren't covered probably aren't particularly unhealthy. So now you should be willing to state that all the marvelous things you claimed would come to pass, will actually come to pass. Over a reasonable time frame. You cannot tell me that we will save hundreds of thousands of lives over a fifty or sixty year time frame. I mean, you can, but then I don't take you seriously. That's a few of thousand lives a year, far lower than the number of American lives claimed annually by "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin"--at a cost of $200 billion a year, or $70-100 million per life saved. I know, every life is priceless, but US policy cannot actually be operated as if this were true. Moreover, when you stretch out the time frame this way, your theory is non-falsifiable: a few thousand lives a year is too small to be distinguished from statistical noise.
To me, that just won't do. Americans were not told that American households would be 1% less worried about bankruptcy, or that we'd save a hundred thousand lives over thirty years. They were regaled with eye-popping statistics on deaths from lack of health insurance--I certainly was, by many of the very same commenters who are now suddenly wary of prediction making. If you quoted those statistics, you were committing to a pretty strong position on the benefits of this bill. By my count, since we're now supposed to be covering at least 2/3 of those who are currently uninsured, and the remainder are often immigrants who trend younger than the general population, you believe that we should see a reduction of at least 15,000 deaths a year. You might argue me down to 12,000, but you couldn't get me as low as ten. That is what is implied by citing a figure of 20,000 deaths a year.
If you quoted Himmelstein et al's 45,000, obviously you should be expecting deaths to fall by at least 25,000 a year, very conservatively. If we don't see such improvements, then those studies were wrong. And if you won't commit to saying that you expect such a sizable reduction in our mortality rate, then you were wrong to cite them.
I mean, maybe we say that there are a bunch of combo benefits: we reduce bankruptcies by a third, save five thousand lives a year, get some harder-to-measure morbidity benefits, and so on. But there have to be some measurable benefits. If this helps families stave off financial ruin, we should see a meaningful and sustained reduction in the number of bankruptcies. If it improves health, that should show up in life expectancy. If it doesn't, then the bill doesn't do what you said you expected it to do. That's valuable information! Not so much about you, as about health care bills.
Of course, all of these benefits won't happen overnight, especially since the bill back loads everything that really matters except for the tax increases. But we'll see how it all plays out, won't we?
Sound Familiar?
In standard orbit around an iron-silica-type uncharted planet, the USS Enterprise prepares to complete its survey, when everything within sensor range suddenly "blinks", almost as if the universe is on the verge of ceasing to exist. And, in the wake of this, a man appears on the surface of the planet, where moments earlier there was no life.
Beaming down, Captain Kirk, Spock, and the landing party encounter a man. Dirty, and disheveled, he falls from a rock. The landing party returns to the Enterprise with him, where Kirk learns more news – the strange phenomena drained the dilithium crystals almost completely. Still worse, Starfleet issues a Code Factor 1 message – invasion status. The effect experienced by the Enterprise was also experienced everywhere in the galaxy, and far beyond. Starfleet withdraws all nearby ships – Kirk and Enterprise are the bait.
Kirk talks to his "guest" – a man named Lazarus, who is pursuing a "thing", a monster who destroyed his entire civilization. Beaming down, Kirk learns from Spock that there is no other creature here. Accusing Lazarus of lying, Kirk demands the truth – and the universe turns inside out. The same "winking" phenomenon occurs again. And Lazarus... first he has a bandaged forehead, and then he doesn't, and then he does again.
Meanwhile, Spock has discovered a source of radiation that is not there – a "rip" in the universe, where regular physical laws do not apply. The key to locating this source seems to be the dilithium crystals – a revelation which excites Lazarus, who demands the impossible: that Kirk give him the crystals.
The captain refuses, but Lazarus overpowers two engineering officers and steals two crystals, nevertheless.
Kirk confronts him, but he denies it, blaming his monster. And the evidence suggests he isn't the thief, for the crystals are not aboard his ship. Back aboard the Enterprise, Kirk confronts Lazarus with his lies, and learns that Lazarus distorted a fact: he is a time traveler. The dead world Enterprise orbits is the distant future of his destroyed homeworld; the place and time he has traveled to in pursuit of the monster.
Speculating, Kirk and Spock conclude that the strange energy must come from a source outside the universe. A source in another universe. There are two copies of Lazarus, and they are periodically exchanging places through a kind of door – and if they ever exist in the same universe at the same time, everything, everywhere, will be annihilated in a cataclysmic matter/antimatter explosion.
Meanwhile, the alternative Lazarus steal the ship's energy crystals, then beams down. Kirk pursues. As he attempts to enter Lazarus' spaceship, he vanishes, hurled through the corridor into the other universe.
Once there, he meets the other Lazarus, the sane Lazarus, and learns the truth. Anti-Lazarus' people discovered how to pass through the negative magnetic corridor that both connects and protects the two universes. When this happened, Lazarus couldn't bear the knowledge that he had a duplicate, and resolved to destroy his other. He is mad and doesn't care if this causes the death of two universes. Anti-Lazarus and Kirk realize he must be stopped: if Kirk can force Lazarus into the corridor, Anti-Lazarus can hold him there, and Kirk can destroy his spaceship – which will also destroy Anti-Lazarus' spaceship. Access to the corridor will be sealed forever, and both universes will be safe. And two men named Lazarus will be at each others' throats for the remainder of eternity. Kirk goes back through the corridor and in a hand to hand combat throws Lazarus into the corridor. Back on board Kirk orders the Enterprise to fire phasers at the time ship which then disappears in both universes; both Lazarus are trapped forever in the corridor and both universes are saved.
New Excuses as April 15th Looms
Every American loves to file his or her tax return each year. But as it has been a tough year, we are offering some helpful excuses to those who are not prepared to file this year.
10. My return was hijacked by Somali pirates.
9. Tim Geithner was going to handle that for me.
8. Gave it up for Lent this year.
7. My money is all tied up in my California refund.
6. Turns out my accountant was also sleeping with Tiger Woods.
5. I'm using the Rangel method this year so I have nothing to report.
4. You know that Stimulus Bill that no one read? Turns out there was this clause...
3. I was just too excited that they finally caught Roman Polanski.
2. You mean there is a difference between eHarmony and eFile?
1. Taxes? Uh, no, I don't think so. I'm in Obama's Cabinet.
10. My return was hijacked by Somali pirates.
9. Tim Geithner was going to handle that for me.
8. Gave it up for Lent this year.
7. My money is all tied up in my California refund.
6. Turns out my accountant was also sleeping with Tiger Woods.
5. I'm using the Rangel method this year so I have nothing to report.
4. You know that Stimulus Bill that no one read? Turns out there was this clause...
3. I was just too excited that they finally caught Roman Polanski.
2. You mean there is a difference between eHarmony and eFile?
1. Taxes? Uh, no, I don't think so. I'm in Obama's Cabinet.
A Must Read From 1840
I think, then, that the species of oppression by which democratic nations are menaced is unlike anything that ever before existed in the world; our contemporaries will find no prototype of it in their memories. I seek in vain for an expression that will accurately convey the whole of the idea I have formed of it; the old words despotism and tyranny are inappropriate: the thing itself is new, and since I cannot name, I must attempt to define it.
I seek to trace the novel features under which despotism may appear in the world. The first thing that strikes the observation is an innumerable multitude of men, all equal and alike, incessantly endeavoring to procure the petty and paltry pleasures with which they glut their lives. Each of them, living apart, is as a stranger to the fate of all the rest; his children and his private friends constitute to him the whole of mankind. As for the rest of his fellow citizens, he is close to them, but he does not see them; he touches them, but he does not feel them; he exists only in himself and for himself alone; and if his kindred still remain to him, he may be said at any rate to have lost his country.
Above this race of men stands an immense and tutelary power, which takes upon itself alone to secure their gratifications and to watch over their fate. That power is absolute, minute, regular, provident, and mild. It would be like the authority of a parent if, like that authority, its object was to prepare men for manhood; but it seeks, on the contrary, to keep them in perpetual childhood: it is well content that the people should rejoice, provided they think of nothing but rejoicing. For their happiness such a government willingly labors, but it chooses to be the sole agent and the only arbiter of that happiness; it provides for their security, foresees and supplies their necessities, facilitates their pleasures, manages their principal concerns, directs their industry, regulates the descent of property, and subdivides their inheritances: what remains, but to spare them all the care of thinking and the trouble of living?...
After having thus successively taken each member of the community in its powerful grasp and fashioned him at will, the supreme power then extends its arm over the whole community. It covers the surface of society with a network of small complicated rules, minute and uniform, through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate, to rise above the crowd. The will of man is not shattered, but softened, bent, and guided; men are seldom forced by it to act, but they are constantly restrained from acting. Such a power does not destroy, but it prevents existence; it does not tyrannize, but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefies a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd...
Our contemporaries are constantly excited by two conflicting passions: they want to be led and they wish to remain free. [Emphasis added]
—Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, Vol. 2, 318–19
Good intentions? Meet the Road to Hell.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Meanwhile, in McCollum's High Stakes Challenge, Things are Looking Better
Group Standings
Rank Team Name Score Correct Best Score Best Correct Champion
1 Jessica Hodges 45 34 80 44 Kansas (152)
1 Robby Vincill 45 34 68 41 Kansas (150)
3 Bette Brady 44 34 71 41 Kentucky (168)
4 Allison Prssley 43 33 75 42 Kansas (159)
5 Todd Bealer 42 32 80 43 Kansas (133)
6 greg erickson 41 32 85 44 Kentucky (161)
7 Adam Tinker 40 31 75 41 Kansas (145)
7 david young 40 32 69 40 Kansas (155)
7 jason brady 40 32 71 40 Kentucky (138)
7 Jeff Potter 40 32 72 41 Kansas (164)
7 Sandy Richards 40 31 75 41 Kansas (162)
12 David Belcher 39 31 71 40 Kansas (133)
12 DvdLaura Blcher 39 31 85 43 Syracuse (136)
12 Lgh Ann Joseph 39 31 71 40 Kansas (132)
15 Danny Pressley 38 29 72 38 Kentucky (137)
15 gabe beck 38 30 73 40 Kansas (155)
15 Jeremy Shoop 38 30 66 38 Kansas (133)
15 Jim McCollum 38 29 70 38 Kansas (136)
15 larry brady 38 30 59 36 Kansas (180)
15 Tom Welch 38 30 70 39 Kansas (163)
21 Laura Belcher 37 29 78 40 Kentucky (156)
21 Paul Burris 37 29 75 40 Kansas (131)
21 Steve Richards 37 30 64 37 Kentucky (155)
21 Tom Joseph 37 30 77 40 Syracuse (145)
25 Kristen Hicks 35 29 69 38 Kentucky (144)
25 Sam Pressley 35 28 67 37 Kansas (155)
27 Andrew Pitts 34 29 65 37 Kentucky (157)
27 David Babb 34 26 75 37 Kentucky (150)
27 Pat O'Connor 34 28 55 34 Kansas (145)
27 Rachel McCollum 34 27 69 37 Kansas (144)
31 Bill Kelso 32 25 47 29 Kansas (130)
32 Tom Joseph 29 23 68 33 Syracuse (146)
Allison Pressley is trash talking.
There will be consequences.
Bette Brady, whoever you are, thanks for picking Vandy all the way to the Final Four. Your bracket, like President Obama's conscience, is dead.
Jessica, your nearly perfect bracket in the West Region is marred only by my Vanderbilt Commodores. Coincidence? My high school principal's name was Xavier. (No kidding.) How you feeling about Xavier in the Elite Eight now?
Normally I'd root for the Taliban if they were playing Kentucky.
But not this year.
Go Cats.
Saw Jeff Potter Thursday night, at which time he claimed to have a perfect bracket. Once again, my Commodores - the team Jeff hates more than nay other - betrayed his bracket like Alger Hiss.
Rank Team Name Score Correct Best Score Best Correct Champion
1 Jessica Hodges 45 34 80 44 Kansas (152)
1 Robby Vincill 45 34 68 41 Kansas (150)
3 Bette Brady 44 34 71 41 Kentucky (168)
4 Allison Prssley 43 33 75 42 Kansas (159)
5 Todd Bealer 42 32 80 43 Kansas (133)
6 greg erickson 41 32 85 44 Kentucky (161)
7 Adam Tinker 40 31 75 41 Kansas (145)
7 david young 40 32 69 40 Kansas (155)
7 jason brady 40 32 71 40 Kentucky (138)
7 Jeff Potter 40 32 72 41 Kansas (164)
7 Sandy Richards 40 31 75 41 Kansas (162)
12 David Belcher 39 31 71 40 Kansas (133)
12 DvdLaura Blcher 39 31 85 43 Syracuse (136)
12 Lgh Ann Joseph 39 31 71 40 Kansas (132)
15 Danny Pressley 38 29 72 38 Kentucky (137)
15 gabe beck 38 30 73 40 Kansas (155)
15 Jeremy Shoop 38 30 66 38 Kansas (133)
15 Jim McCollum 38 29 70 38 Kansas (136)
15 larry brady 38 30 59 36 Kansas (180)
15 Tom Welch 38 30 70 39 Kansas (163)
21 Laura Belcher 37 29 78 40 Kentucky (156)
21 Paul Burris 37 29 75 40 Kansas (131)
21 Steve Richards 37 30 64 37 Kentucky (155)
21 Tom Joseph 37 30 77 40 Syracuse (145)
25 Kristen Hicks 35 29 69 38 Kentucky (144)
25 Sam Pressley 35 28 67 37 Kansas (155)
27 Andrew Pitts 34 29 65 37 Kentucky (157)
27 David Babb 34 26 75 37 Kentucky (150)
27 Pat O'Connor 34 28 55 34 Kansas (145)
27 Rachel McCollum 34 27 69 37 Kansas (144)
31 Bill Kelso 32 25 47 29 Kansas (130)
32 Tom Joseph 29 23 68 33 Syracuse (146)
Allison Pressley is trash talking.
There will be consequences.
Bette Brady, whoever you are, thanks for picking Vandy all the way to the Final Four. Your bracket, like President Obama's conscience, is dead.
Jessica, your nearly perfect bracket in the West Region is marred only by my Vanderbilt Commodores. Coincidence? My high school principal's name was Xavier. (No kidding.) How you feeling about Xavier in the Elite Eight now?
Normally I'd root for the Taliban if they were playing Kentucky.
But not this year.
Go Cats.
Saw Jeff Potter Thursday night, at which time he claimed to have a perfect bracket. Once again, my Commodores - the team Jeff hates more than nay other - betrayed his bracket like Alger Hiss.
The Standings Heading Into the Sweet Sixteen
Rank Team Name Score Correct Best Score Best Correct Champion
1 Adam Tinker 493 34 622 45 Kansas (143)
2 Lgh Ann Joseph 488 34 580 42 Kansas (128)
3 Sandy Richards 482 34 598 44 Kansas (162)
4 Mark Childress 479 33 608 43 Kentucky (145)
5 Chrstie Knapper 476 34 635 46 Kentucky (117)
5 Connie Leggett 476 34 615 45 Kentucky (159)
7 Andrew Pitts 471 33 602 43 Kentucky (157)
8 Jessica Cooper 470 34 591 44 Kansas (152)
9 Amy Holley 454 31 536 37 Kentucky (133)
10 Buddy Hamilton 452 33 598 44 Kentucky (137)
11 Will Akers 448 32 540 40 Kansas (139)
12 Whitney Mcgowan 445 32 561 42 Kansas (151)
13 david young 441 32 604 45 Syracuse (165)
13 Matthew McGowan 441 31 532 39 Kansas (147)
15 Andrew Hartung 439 31 569 41 West Virginia (126)
16 Ben Alexander 437 32 517 39 Kansas (148)
17 Edgar Gray 433 31 556 41 Kansas (142)
18 Danny Pressley 432 30 572 41 Duke (137)
19 Allison Prssly 431 31 512 38 Kansas (160)
20 Kristen Hicks 429 30 539 38 Kentucky (143)
21 greg erickson 428 31 554 42 Kansas (139)
22 Hallie Richards 427 31 529 40 Kansas (132)
23 Robert Freeman 423 31 502 38 Kansas (147)
24 David Reynolds 420 30 571 42 Duke (141)
24 Kelly Ftzptrck 420 31 563 42 Kentucky (134)
26 John Bailes 413 29 557 40 Kentucky (160)
27 Bill Kelso 412 29 519 38 Kansas (130)
28 Todd Bealer 405 30 514 39 Kansas (133)
29 Clay Irby 400 28 491 36 Kansas (145)
30 Sam Erickson 387 28 467 35 Kansas (155)
31 Jeff Hodge 384 29 530 40 Kentucky (158)
32 David Babb 374 28 489 38 Kansas (150)
33 Phyllis Hodge 373 28 462 36 Kansas (183)
34 Eric Bailes 370 23 467 30 Kentucky (159)
35 Jim McCollum 353 26 479 37 Kansas (132)
36 Debbie Jones 352 27 456 36 Kansas (160)
37 Mark King 346 26 496 38 Duke (143)
GEICO Division
Rank Team Name Score Correct Best Score Best Correct Champion
1 Andrew Childress462 32 556 40 Kansas (138)
1 Bill Kelso 462 33 580 43 Kansas (130)
3 Glenn Sharp 431 31 544 41 Kansas (143)
4 Sandy Richards 423 31 539 41 Kansas (162)
5 LESLEY DAVIS 383 29 510 39 Kentucky (2)
Al Gore Division
1 Sandy Richards 482 34 598 44 Kansas (162)
2 Bill Kelso 426 30 542 40 Kansas (130)
3 Melissa Miller 405 29 498 36 Kentucky (171)
4 Clay Irby 400 28 491 36 Kansas (145)
5 Melissa Miller 392 29 562 42 Syracuse (142)
6 Steve Richards 388 29 466 36 Kansas (150)
7 Sam Pressley 361 27 463 36 Kansas (155)
Northern Iowa?
Ali Faroukmanesh?
This can't be true, can it?
Mark "The Second "s" is Silent" Childress looks to be in an excellent position to claim the title. Our exclusive interview with mark will be published later today, possibly tomorrow.
Mark "Pierre" King, it turns out, is of French heritage. He surrendered after Ohio beat Georgetown.
1 Adam Tinker 493 34 622 45 Kansas (143)
2 Lgh Ann Joseph 488 34 580 42 Kansas (128)
3 Sandy Richards 482 34 598 44 Kansas (162)
4 Mark Childress 479 33 608 43 Kentucky (145)
5 Chrstie Knapper 476 34 635 46 Kentucky (117)
5 Connie Leggett 476 34 615 45 Kentucky (159)
7 Andrew Pitts 471 33 602 43 Kentucky (157)
8 Jessica Cooper 470 34 591 44 Kansas (152)
9 Amy Holley 454 31 536 37 Kentucky (133)
10 Buddy Hamilton 452 33 598 44 Kentucky (137)
11 Will Akers 448 32 540 40 Kansas (139)
12 Whitney Mcgowan 445 32 561 42 Kansas (151)
13 david young 441 32 604 45 Syracuse (165)
13 Matthew McGowan 441 31 532 39 Kansas (147)
15 Andrew Hartung 439 31 569 41 West Virginia (126)
16 Ben Alexander 437 32 517 39 Kansas (148)
17 Edgar Gray 433 31 556 41 Kansas (142)
18 Danny Pressley 432 30 572 41 Duke (137)
19 Allison Prssly 431 31 512 38 Kansas (160)
20 Kristen Hicks 429 30 539 38 Kentucky (143)
21 greg erickson 428 31 554 42 Kansas (139)
22 Hallie Richards 427 31 529 40 Kansas (132)
23 Robert Freeman 423 31 502 38 Kansas (147)
24 David Reynolds 420 30 571 42 Duke (141)
24 Kelly Ftzptrck 420 31 563 42 Kentucky (134)
26 John Bailes 413 29 557 40 Kentucky (160)
27 Bill Kelso 412 29 519 38 Kansas (130)
28 Todd Bealer 405 30 514 39 Kansas (133)
29 Clay Irby 400 28 491 36 Kansas (145)
30 Sam Erickson 387 28 467 35 Kansas (155)
31 Jeff Hodge 384 29 530 40 Kentucky (158)
32 David Babb 374 28 489 38 Kansas (150)
33 Phyllis Hodge 373 28 462 36 Kansas (183)
34 Eric Bailes 370 23 467 30 Kentucky (159)
35 Jim McCollum 353 26 479 37 Kansas (132)
36 Debbie Jones 352 27 456 36 Kansas (160)
37 Mark King 346 26 496 38 Duke (143)
GEICO Division
Rank Team Name Score Correct Best Score Best Correct Champion
1 Andrew Childress462 32 556 40 Kansas (138)
1 Bill Kelso 462 33 580 43 Kansas (130)
3 Glenn Sharp 431 31 544 41 Kansas (143)
4 Sandy Richards 423 31 539 41 Kansas (162)
5 LESLEY DAVIS 383 29 510 39 Kentucky (2)
Al Gore Division
1 Sandy Richards 482 34 598 44 Kansas (162)
2 Bill Kelso 426 30 542 40 Kansas (130)
3 Melissa Miller 405 29 498 36 Kentucky (171)
4 Clay Irby 400 28 491 36 Kansas (145)
5 Melissa Miller 392 29 562 42 Syracuse (142)
6 Steve Richards 388 29 466 36 Kansas (150)
7 Sam Pressley 361 27 463 36 Kansas (155)
Northern Iowa?
Ali Faroukmanesh?
This can't be true, can it?
Mark "The Second "s" is Silent" Childress looks to be in an excellent position to claim the title. Our exclusive interview with mark will be published later today, possibly tomorrow.
Mark "Pierre" King, it turns out, is of French heritage. He surrendered after Ohio beat Georgetown.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Meanwhile, On the Healthcare Front
From The Atlantic:
It's not like the whole thing is a massive sham that will fail miserably to accomplish its stated objective and bankrupt the country.
Social Security? Failure
Medicare? Failure
Medicaid? Failure
healthcare Reform? Failure
Well intentioned all, but failures all. Ponzi schemes always fail.
On the eve of the possible passage of a health care bill, Arizona has provided a glimpse of our possible future by shutting down its SCHIP program and booting a bunch of people out of Medicaid. . . . The reason this is so troubling, of course, is that the new proposed health care plan gets about half of its coverage expansion through adding people to Medicaid. The state side of this expense doesn’t show up on the books as a government expenditure (neatly enabling the bill to get a lower CBO score), but someone in America has to be taxed to pay for it, and there is a big problem when tax revenues fall short of the required expenditure
It's not like the whole thing is a massive sham that will fail miserably to accomplish its stated objective and bankrupt the country.
Social Security? Failure
Medicare? Failure
Medicaid? Failure
healthcare Reform? Failure
Well intentioned all, but failures all. Ponzi schemes always fail.
God, Why Do You Torture Me So?
Are people really this stupid?
Why yes, they are.
HINT: The phrases "verge of default" and "good credit risk" don't go together.
Wow. Could it be because these "housing counselors" are morons?
Why yes, that could be it!
GET THE HELL OUT OF THE GENE POOL IMMEDIATELY AND DON'T EVER THINK ABOUT VOTING IN ANOTHER ELECTION, YOU FREAKING MORONS! I know hand sanitizer that is smarter than these people.
This isn't soccer, you losers. Good intentions don't count. Consider the alternative:
This is NOT a draconian result. If you think it is, then you think we can all hold hands and sing Kuumbaya and all the world problems will be magically solved.
The only problem with that sort of thinking is THAT IT WILL NEVER, EVER WORK.
Now I know where GEICO gets its cavemen.
Why yes, they are.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Some homeowners who sign up for the government's mortgage assistance program are getting a nasty surprise: Lower credit scores.
For borrowers who are making their payments on time but are on the verge of default, the Obama administration's loan modification program can reduce their credit score as much as 100 points. That makes it harder to get a loan and can present a problem when applying for a new job.
HINT: The phrases "verge of default" and "good credit risk" don't go together.
Housing counselors say it's unfair, especially because the news often comes as a surprise to homeowners.
Wow. Could it be because these "housing counselors" are morons?
Why yes, that could be it!
"Why should people's credit be hurt even worse when they're trying to do the right thing?" said Eileen Anderson, senior vice president at Community Development Corp. of Long Island, a housing counseling group in New York.
And many homeowners are angry that a program designed to help carries such a penalty, said Kathy Conley, a housing counselor with GreenPath Inc., a nonprofit group in Farmington Hills, Mich.
"It's a feeling of being duped," she said.
GET THE HELL OUT OF THE GENE POOL IMMEDIATELY AND DON'T EVER THINK ABOUT VOTING IN ANOTHER ELECTION, YOU FREAKING MORONS! I know hand sanitizer that is smarter than these people.
This isn't soccer, you losers. Good intentions don't count. Consider the alternative:
Still, the impact is far less severe than a foreclosure, where borrowers typically find their credit is in tatters for years. That's due to the cumulative impact of many months of missed payments and the foreclosure itself, which drags down a homeowner's' credit by 150 points or more on a scale of 300 to 850.
This is NOT a draconian result. If you think it is, then you think we can all hold hands and sing Kuumbaya and all the world problems will be magically solved.
The only problem with that sort of thinking is THAT IT WILL NEVER, EVER WORK.
Now I know where GEICO gets its cavemen.
On Today's Menu
Spicy Free Range Possum
MSG Isn't Free Egg Lolls
Spicy Garlic Cat Strips and Broccoli
Brownish Lice
MSG Isn't Free Egg Lolls
Spicy Garlic Cat Strips and Broccoli
Brownish Lice
Friday, March 19, 2010
Cornell Beating Temple
High above Cuyahoga's waters
There's an awful smell.
Maybe it's polluted waters.
Maybe it's Cornell.
Then again, maybe it's Temple. A 12 seed has yet to beat a 5 seed.
The last time an Ivy League school made the Final Four was Penn in 1979. I'm pretty sure that is a record that won't be broken in my lifetime.
There's an awful smell.
Maybe it's polluted waters.
Maybe it's Cornell.
Then again, maybe it's Temple. A 12 seed has yet to beat a 5 seed.
The last time an Ivy League school made the Final Four was Penn in 1979. I'm pretty sure that is a record that won't be broken in my lifetime.
Really? Part II
So I come back from lunch and park next to Kelly. As I get out I notice her tennis racquet has a broken string. Something I first noticed about one month ago when I also happened to park next to her.
So I stop by her desk/cube, aware that she is working very hard lately, and I ask her, "Do you want me to take that racquet in to be re-strung?"
I, of course, was joking.
She replies, "No, that's okay. My parents have a racquet re-stringer at home. I'll just do it myself next time I am over there."
Did not see that coming.
They have their own racquet re-stringer. Really? Makes me wonder what else they may "do themselves."
Me: Kelly, I heard you broke your arm this weekend. Ouch. What happened?
Kelly: I tripped on my cat.
Me: How long were you at the hospital?
Kelly: Oh, I didn't go to the hospital. My parents bought a used X-ray machine a few years ago. We took a few shots and saw that it was just a hairline fracture. My Mom always keeps some extra plaster around, so she just put the cast on herself.
Me:
Kelly: Why spend the money, right? I mean, sure, those X-ray machines use a TON of electricity. But they bought this old reactor from TVA when I was a kid...
So I stop by her desk/cube, aware that she is working very hard lately, and I ask her, "Do you want me to take that racquet in to be re-strung?"
I, of course, was joking.
She replies, "No, that's okay. My parents have a racquet re-stringer at home. I'll just do it myself next time I am over there."
Did not see that coming.
They have their own racquet re-stringer. Really? Makes me wonder what else they may "do themselves."
Me: Kelly, I heard you broke your arm this weekend. Ouch. What happened?
Kelly: I tripped on my cat.
Me: How long were you at the hospital?
Kelly: Oh, I didn't go to the hospital. My parents bought a used X-ray machine a few years ago. We took a few shots and saw that it was just a hairline fracture. My Mom always keeps some extra plaster around, so she just put the cast on herself.
Me:
Kelly: Why spend the money, right? I mean, sure, those X-ray machines use a TON of electricity. But they bought this old reactor from TVA when I was a kid...
Brackets Schmackets
I hate March Madness this year, even though yesterday was arguably the best single day in tournament history.
Why?
Because now, one day into the tournament, my bracket is completely shot. Sonny Corleone wasn't shot as badly as my bracket.
There are 56 perfect brackets remaining on ESPN out of a total of 4.9 MM That is a whopping .0011%.
Why?
Because now, one day into the tournament, my bracket is completely shot. Sonny Corleone wasn't shot as badly as my bracket.
There are 56 perfect brackets remaining on ESPN out of a total of 4.9 MM That is a whopping .0011%.
Really?
All politicans lie.
But, as in Orwell's Animal Farm, some lie more than others.
So my wife is on me to get back on The Facebook. I get on this morning and I tried to "friend" this guy:
You can too - here is his link.
I was interested because he wrote this on his wall:
[Every time I see the link to my.barack.obama.com the song "My Sharona" pops into my head. Then I can't get it out all day. Da Da Da Da Dum. Da Da Dum. Da Da Dum.]
Back to the lying part.
Really? Because a lot of people follow health care spending, and I have seen some different numbers. Let's look at the Kaiser Family Foundation. That's ALL they do is follow healthcare spending.
Let's compare.
Barack Obama hints on The Facebook that healthcare spending will be around $5 TRILLION in 2019. Kaiser suggests that it will be about $2.8 TRILLION in 2018. So obviously a lot of people will be getting very sick in 2019, because spending will shoot up $2.2 TRILLION in that year alone.
I don't know how the President knows this, but he must be very, very smart.
Or very, very dishonest.
But, as in Orwell's Animal Farm, some lie more than others.
So my wife is on me to get back on The Facebook. I get on this morning and I tried to "friend" this guy:
You can too - here is his link.
I was interested because he wrote this on his wall:
Barack Obama
We can't kick this problem down the road for another decade -- or even another year.
Can you write a letter to the editor of your local paper right now?
my.barackobama.com
President Obama and many allies in Congress are working hard to finish the job on health reform -- but we can't rest until it's done. Your note will help break through the Washington spin and show members of Congress and the media that local voters want action.:
[Every time I see the link to my.barack.obama.com the song "My Sharona" pops into my head. Then I can't get it out all day. Da Da Da Da Dum. Da Da Dum. Da Da Dum.]
Back to the lying part.
An alarming new study shows that U.S. health care spending rose to an estimated $2.5 trillion in 2009 and is projected to nearly double by 2019.
Really? Because a lot of people follow health care spending, and I have seen some different numbers. Let's look at the Kaiser Family Foundation. That's ALL they do is follow healthcare spending.
In 1970, total health care spending was about $75 billion, or only $356 per person. In less than 40 years these costs have grown to $2.2 trillion, or $7,421 per person. As a result, the share of economic activity devoted to health care has grown from 7.2 percent in 1970 to 16.2 percent in 2007. By the year 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) projects that health spending will be one-fifth of GDP (20.3 percent).
Let's compare.
Barack Obama hints on The Facebook that healthcare spending will be around $5 TRILLION in 2019. Kaiser suggests that it will be about $2.8 TRILLION in 2018. So obviously a lot of people will be getting very sick in 2019, because spending will shoot up $2.2 TRILLION in that year alone.
I don't know how the President knows this, but he must be very, very smart.
Or very, very dishonest.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
As I Didn't Like It
All the world's a basketball court this time of year,
And all the men merely players.
Et tu, Vandy?
My bracket is ruined. Murray freaking State?
Thanks a lot.
And all the men merely players.
Et tu, Vandy?
My bracket is ruined. Murray freaking State?
Thanks a lot.
Son of a Bee Sting, Part II
OMG!
I just looked outside and saw some blue sky. I am certain it will return to a nice shade of gray in a moment.
I just looked outside and saw some blue sky. I am certain it will return to a nice shade of gray in a moment.
Goodbye Irish
Old Dominion 51
Notre Dame 51
Kelly Fitzpatrick - and Irish name if ever there was one one - was heard to remark:
Notre Dame 51
Kelly Fitzpatrick - and Irish name if ever there was one one - was heard to remark:
Always after me Lucky Charms!
It's Still Early, But...
Robert Morris 24
Villanova 16
I think that's the sound of everyone's bracket imploding.
Either that Mark Brumbelow sneezed again.
Villanova 16
I think that's the sound of everyone's bracket imploding.
Either that Mark Brumbelow sneezed again.
It's Tourney Time, Baby!
The first day of the tournament is like Christmas, only without the stress.
Except, of course, for those poor souls who complete their brackets incorrectly. Let's review, shall we?
One would think that this was a clear warning to avoid DECOY bracket invitations.
But NOOOOOOOOOOO!
Fortunately my crack staff was able to rectify the problem and we will now be able to post the actual consolidated standings (published in accordance with one of those FASB thingies) here on the Tournament Central blog. We have, however, created two new divisions to honor certain contestants who shall remain nameless until their names are posted below. These contestants have all attempted to purchase auto insurance from GEICO but, alas, were unable to do so.
In the Rain Man Division we have:
Bill "Furry" Kelso
Clay 'Vanilla Ice" Irby
Melissa "Man I'm getting Old" Miller
Sam "Full Court" Pressley
Sandy "I was Totally Confused but I blame Steve" Richards
Steve "Steve" Richards
The Rain Man winner will receive an official 2010 tournament drool bucket.
In the Al Gore Division we have:
Bill "Furry" Kelso
Sandy "I was Totally Confused but I blame Steve" Richards
Glenn "The second N is Silent" Sharp
Lesley "Worley" Davis
Andrew "I Blame My Dad" Childress
The Gore Division winner will receive a match which symbolizes the illuminating brilliance of Tennessee's favorite dufus.
Except, of course, for those poor souls who complete their brackets incorrectly. Let's review, shall we?
The Official Rules and Regulations might be published Monday morning, along with the official LBMC Brackets®. We will again be using the “secure” CBS Sportsline™ website because it requires a “password.” Our Group Name for 2010 is “Get Back to Work You Slackers” (contributed by Greg “Mr.. Exclamation Point” Gilbert!!). Our Group Abbreviation is “gbtwys” for those of you who speak text. Our Group “password” is “nonbillable.” You may proceed to this link:
http://gbtwys.mayhem.cbssports.com/e
and sign in, but not until Sunday night after the brackets have been announced. You have undoubtedly received invitations already, but beware: these may be decoy invitations. In prior years several players who shall not be named (Sandy Richards) entered the wrong tournament. DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!
One would think that this was a clear warning to avoid DECOY bracket invitations.
But NOOOOOOOOOOO!
Fortunately my crack staff was able to rectify the problem and we will now be able to post the actual consolidated standings (published in accordance with one of those FASB thingies) here on the Tournament Central blog. We have, however, created two new divisions to honor certain contestants who shall remain nameless until their names are posted below. These contestants have all attempted to purchase auto insurance from GEICO but, alas, were unable to do so.
In the Rain Man Division we have:
Bill "Furry" Kelso
Clay 'Vanilla Ice" Irby
Melissa "Man I'm getting Old" Miller
Sam "Full Court" Pressley
Sandy "I was Totally Confused but I blame Steve" Richards
Steve "Steve" Richards
The Rain Man winner will receive an official 2010 tournament drool bucket.
In the Al Gore Division we have:
Bill "Furry" Kelso
Sandy "I was Totally Confused but I blame Steve" Richards
Glenn "The second N is Silent" Sharp
Lesley "Worley" Davis
Andrew "I Blame My Dad" Childress
The Gore Division winner will receive a match which symbolizes the illuminating brilliance of Tennessee's favorite dufus.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Understatement of the Year (So Far)
It was after I looked it on the boat that I realized it was huge, he said. No one had ever seen a shark so big.
The great pity was that it had to be killed - particularly as it was wounded.
I know they (great whites) are becoming extinct. But there is only one of me and it could have made me extinct very quickly.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
LOST Poll
Which 8 of the following 14 Characters on LOST will die before the end of the season?
Ben
Claire
Desmond
Frank
Hurley
Ilana
Jin
Miles
Richard
Sawyer
Sayid
Sun
Widmore
Zoe
Read more: http://spoilerslost.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-03-15T22%3A49%3A00Z&max-results=6#ixzz0iMFGcjtw
Zoe? Who the hell is Zoe?
UPDATE: Ilana, Sun, Sayid, Widmore all bite the bullet.
Ben
Claire
Desmond
Frank
Hurley
Ilana
Jin
Miles
Richard
Sawyer
Sayid
Sun
Widmore
Zoe
Read more: http://spoilerslost.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-03-15T22%3A49%3A00Z&max-results=6#ixzz0iMFGcjtw
Zoe? Who the hell is Zoe?
UPDATE: Ilana, Sun, Sayid, Widmore all bite the bullet.
Dude, I Feel Your Pain
Deep down I believe that people don't really change a whole lot over time. So I get tired of all the doom and gloom, as if politics used to be a noble endeavor where everyone was civil and the engine of government used to be efficient and only recently did the discourse become nasty and waste,fraud and abuse became standard operating procedure.
Similarly, I don't believe the kids today are getting dumber - it just seems that way because they have been so poorly educated. (And yeah, I do place 85% of the blame on the teachers unions and the education establishment, but that is another topic for another day.)
Here's the type of article we ought to be seeing more of.
WWII ended 16 years before I was born; WWI 43 years before I was born, the Civil War 96 years before I was born and the Revolutionary War 180 years before I was born. I still know a good bit about all of these wars because they are seminal events in American history. It's something we should all know; it's basic cultural literacy.
And we don't anymore. UVa Professor E.D. Hirsch wrote about this phenomenon back in 1986, so it's nothing new. I probably didn't know as much about American history as my parents did.
The question is why?
I have some thoughts that answer this question in part; mainly it's because some education high ups decided that touchy-feely was better, standards got soft, and it became more fashionable to teach students about all the things America had done wrong rather than focus on the things we've done right. There is room for both, of course, but my own belief is that the failure to understand and appreciate American exceptionalism precludes any real understanding of America. Truth be told, the American political left abhors the very notion of American exceptionalism.
I don't have the answer to this conundrum - it really isn't a left/right political thing to me - but I do think it is something we need to figure out pretty quickly.
Similarly, I don't believe the kids today are getting dumber - it just seems that way because they have been so poorly educated. (And yeah, I do place 85% of the blame on the teachers unions and the education establishment, but that is another topic for another day.)
Here's the type of article we ought to be seeing more of.
WWII ended 16 years before I was born; WWI 43 years before I was born, the Civil War 96 years before I was born and the Revolutionary War 180 years before I was born. I still know a good bit about all of these wars because they are seminal events in American history. It's something we should all know; it's basic cultural literacy.
And we don't anymore. UVa Professor E.D. Hirsch wrote about this phenomenon back in 1986, so it's nothing new. I probably didn't know as much about American history as my parents did.
The question is why?
I have some thoughts that answer this question in part; mainly it's because some education high ups decided that touchy-feely was better, standards got soft, and it became more fashionable to teach students about all the things America had done wrong rather than focus on the things we've done right. There is room for both, of course, but my own belief is that the failure to understand and appreciate American exceptionalism precludes any real understanding of America. Truth be told, the American political left abhors the very notion of American exceptionalism.
I don't have the answer to this conundrum - it really isn't a left/right political thing to me - but I do think it is something we need to figure out pretty quickly.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Things That Are Slower Than GFR
1. Glaciers
I was going to add "slugs" and "my son Jack in the shower" before I realized that even glaciers was kind of pushing it.
I was going to add "slugs" and "my son Jack in the shower" before I realized that even glaciers was kind of pushing it.
But Seriously Folks
As a rule, I don't pass along these "forward this to 100 people and AT&T will donate $.05 to research that will save this kid's life" or the equally annoying "add your name and forward to others who care" emails, but THIS ONE really is important.
It has been circulating for over a year and has been sent to over 300 million people. Please review it, and if you are so inclined, add you name to the list and forward it on.
I won't implore you to "Please keep it going!" - but PLEASE KEEP THIS GOING!
To show your support for President Obama's health care reform legislation please go to the end of the list and add your name.
1. Nancy Pelosi
2.
Courtesy of Betsy.
It has been circulating for over a year and has been sent to over 300 million people. Please review it, and if you are so inclined, add you name to the list and forward it on.
I won't implore you to "Please keep it going!" - but PLEASE KEEP THIS GOING!
To show your support for President Obama's health care reform legislation please go to the end of the list and add your name.
1. Nancy Pelosi
2.
Courtesy of Betsy.
I Was Told There Would Be No Math
John walked along Kingston Pike, I-40 and Pellissippi Parkway from from his home to the office. The distance was 5 miles and he walked at a steady two miles per hour wearing his Holston High School letterman's sweater. During his walk, 40 cars passed him from behind and fifty cars passed him coming from the office.
What was the average speed of the cars (excluding Jill Green and Greg Gilbert who were traveling at a speed in excess of Mach 1 and were excluded from this question since they were outliers)?
What was the average speed of the cars (excluding Jill Green and Greg Gilbert who were traveling at a speed in excess of Mach 1 and were excluded from this question since they were outliers)?
Seems Like a Good Idea to Me
Hillary Rodham Clinton's State Department is spending $5.4 million to buy fine crystal stemware for American embassies -- but it won't give the US economy much of a boost.
The contract was given to a tiny Washington, DC, interior designer, which in turn subcontracted the crystal work to a Swedish firm -- snubbing such US companies as the famous manufacturer in Clinton's own back yard, Steuben Crystal of upstate Corning.
The firm didn't even get a chance to bid on the contract, which will outfit embassies and ambassadors' residences with fancy crystal for ritzy functions.
Ironically, under the no-bid contract, some of the crystal is to be custom-crafted to include the seal of the United States, although Swedes will do all of the manufacturing.
Clearly at least one branch of of our government has its priorities straight.
Uh Oh! Social Security is Officially Out of Money.
This makes health care reform that much more urgent!
Not!
It's official: every social program the government has ever tried to run has ended in bankruptcy.
So let's try a few more!
The tree of liberty must be refreshed with the blood of tyrants and patriots from time to time. Looks like it is one of those times.
Not!
It's official: every social program the government has ever tried to run has ended in bankruptcy.
So let's try a few more!
The tree of liberty must be refreshed with the blood of tyrants and patriots from time to time. Looks like it is one of those times.
A Public Service Message About Public School Accounting
It's three minutes. Just watch it.
I'll being going to Lowes after to work to buy a pitchfork.
I'll being going to Lowes after to work to buy a pitchfork.
Why Hurley Never Loses Weight
I have theorized that Jacob and the man in Black are equivalent to ying and yang and must be in balance and that each one of faces a similar internal battle between our better and lesser natures.
Then it hit me.
Hurley doesn't lose weight because he gets a serious case of the munchies every time he sees the smoke monster. Because that is not just any kind of smoke.....
Which means, of course, that the island is really controlled by Cheech and Chong.
Is it a coincidence that Hurley's father is Cheech Marin? I think not.
LOST is a very tightly woven story.
Then it hit me.
Hurley doesn't lose weight because he gets a serious case of the munchies every time he sees the smoke monster. Because that is not just any kind of smoke.....
Which means, of course, that the island is really controlled by Cheech and Chong.
Is it a coincidence that Hurley's father is Cheech Marin? I think not.
LOST is a very tightly woven story.
Bet That Would Freak People Out
If I had a glass eye then I would start tapping on it with my pen during meetings that were running too long and see who noticed.
Conversation with IT Guys
So I am talking with Brian and Thomas about GFR and all of a sudden, in mid-sentence, they start going "Beeeep Bip Bip Beeep Bip..."
Apparently they are learning Morse Code.
It's a lot faster than GFR, for what that is worth.
Apparently they are learning Morse Code.
It's a lot faster than GFR, for what that is worth.
Tax Season Thought
Instructions are a BIG deal around here. Most clients now understand that their checks should be made out to the "U.S. Treasury" and not the "IRS."
I have been encouraging my clients to write "for sensual massage" in the memo field of their checks just to mess with the IRS, though. Fortunately no one actually reads the instructions except for John.
I have been encouraging my clients to write "for sensual massage" in the memo field of their checks just to mess with the IRS, though. Fortunately no one actually reads the instructions except for John.
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